Max Wolter, Biologist for the local office of the Department of Natural Resources provided us some links that residents may find helpful. There is a lot of information available on the DNR website. Here is the list:
LAKE LIFE
Interested in applying for a grant to do a project on your lake? There are a variety of different grants available to lake groups ranging from planning and education to invasive species prevention. Follow this link to learn more about grants:
https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/aid/SurfaceWater.html
Interested in water quality data on your lake? Citizen lake monitors have been volunteering for years on many lakes to collect data related to water clarity, nutrients, and temperature. If your lake does not have a citizen lake monitor it is a great program to get involved with. Reports and more information can be found here:
https://apps.dnr.wi.gov/lakes/waterquality/
Interested in learning more about aquatic plants and what can be done when they become problematic? Start here:
https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/lakes/plants
Interested in applying for a permit to do fish cribs, fish sticks, shoreline erosion control, bridge/culvert work, buoys, etc.?
General information can be found here:
https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/Waterways
Would you like to be able to make your own maps, view Ariel photographs, measure distances, and find public lands all in one place? This is the DNR surface water mapping application and it is available for public use. It is a powerful tool with many useful functions. It takes some getting used to, but there is a lot you can do once you find your way around. I use this all the time professionally and personally.
https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/SurfaceWater/swdv
RECREATION
Interested in finding lake maps for most lakes in Wisconsin? Here’s where to find them:
https://apps.dnr.wi.gov/lakes/Documents/LakeMaps.aspx
Interested in finding lakes with beaches? Here’s the searchable list (note there will be some “unofficial” beaches that do not appear on this list):
https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/Beaches/BeachList.html
Want to check the fishing season dates for the upcoming year and see when the free fishing weekend will be? Here’s everything you need to know:
https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/Fishing/seasons
Want to see reports from fish surveys in our area? Here is the list:
http://dnr.wi.gov/topic/Fishing/north/trtysprngsrvys.html#sawyer
Would you like to see the fish stocking records for a lake? Check here and search by county and lake (note: I occasionally notice missing records in this database and it does not appear to be updated through 2013):
https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/Fishing/stocking
http://infotrek.er.usgs.gov/apex/f?p=wdnr_stocking:1:0::NO:1:P1_COUNTY_NAME:SAWYER
